How to cite:
Azura Binti Md Zahari, PM Dr Faizah Binti Abdul Ghani. (2021). Factors of
Domestic Violence when Movement Control Orders. Journal Eduvest.
1(11): 1253-1257
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2775-3727
Published by:
https://greenpublisher.id/
Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 1 Number 11, November 2021
p- ISSN 2775-3735 e-ISSN 2775-3727
FACTORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHEN MOVEMENT
CONTROL ORDERS
Azura Binti Md Zahari, PM Dr Faizah Binti Abdul Ghani
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
E-mail: azurazahari3@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Cases of domestic violence were increasing when the Movement Control Order
was implemented in March 2020. This is becoming increasingly worrying and
needs to be given attention by all parties. This is because domestic violence can
affect family institutions in society. Domestic violence is one of the patterns of
coercive behavior that can have a detrimental effect on the victim and cause
severe physical and emotional injuries, such as trauma and suicide. Therefore,
this article discusses the factors of domestic violence that can occur against
women during the Movement Control Order. This study used a library research
method that aimed to examine the factors faced by women during the period
when the Movement Control Order was implemented. The result of this research
concluded that violence against women needs to be given serious attention
because women are an important asset to the state. Violence against women
also needs to be addressed by identifying the causes of violence to prevent
women from continuing to be victims of violence. Violence against women can
cause physical injuries and health problems, as well as mental and emotional
trauma that can lead to mental and emotional disorders.
KEYWORDS
Domestic Violence, Impact of Violence, Movement Control Order,
Violence Factor
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
ShareAlike 4.0 International
INTRODUCTION
Domestic violence experienced by women was on the rise during the Movement
Control Order (PKP), which was enforced in March 2020 last year. Minister of Women,
Family, and Community Development (KPWKM), Datuk Seri Rina Harun, stated that most
of the cases were due to economic pressures and the stress of life, which led to some couples
intending to injure their partners, especially women. The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM)
Azura Binti Md Zahari, PM Dr Faizah Binti Abdul Ghani
Factors of Domestic Violence when Movement Control Orders 1254
also reported that, according to statistics, from January to December 2020, a total of 5,260
cases of domestic violence had been received. Meanwhile, in 2021, from January to April,
a total of 902 cases of domestic violence were reported. These statistics show that the issue
of domestic violence is very worrying, and this issue needs to be given attention by all
parties. In addition, the statistics reported by the Organization of Sisters in Islam (SIS) on
June 21, 2021, showed cases of domestic violence in 2020 at 23 percent, compared to 15
percent in 2019. According to SIS, among the forms of violence experienced were physical
abuse (37 percent), psychological abuse (31 percent), social abuse (11 percent), financial
abuse (16 percent), and sexual violence (5 percent). These statistics show that women are
among the most vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic when they face
physical and emotional abuse caused by domestic conflict.
The Women's Aid Organization (WAO) explains that domestic violence is a form of
violence or a form of behavior that is intended to intimidate couples who are in an intimate
relationship. Domestic violence can result in physical, sexual, emotional, psychological,
and economic abuse. The increase in cases during PKP needs to be brought to the attention
of all parties because there are cases in which wives are abused to the point of death.
According to the Women's Aid Organization's (WAO) Senior Advocacy Officer, Rusni
Tajari, it clearly showed the adverse effects of domestic violence, which not only resulted
in physical and mental injuries to the victims but could also result in death. Even worse,
most of the violent acts were done by people who knew the victims, such as their spouses.
According to (Suhaili Sharil, 2020), (Suhaila Sharil, Fathillah, Niteh, Ahmad, &
Basir, 2018), (Hamzah, 2015), (Shahril, 2019), and (Sofian & Azmawati, 2021) violence
is equal to abuse committed in five forms, namely physical, psychological, emotional,
social, sexual, and financial abuse. However, WAO statistics report that the category of
physical and emotional violence often records the highest values compared to other
categories. This is also supported by the findings of a study conducted by the Center for
Women and Gender Research (KANITA) at Universiti Sains Malaysia, which also found
that 5 percent of women have experienced physical violence while 7.8 percent have
experienced emotional violence committed by their own partners. Meanwhile, the
Women's Aid Organization's (WAO) Advocacy and Communication Officer, Tan Heang
Lee, said that the data received from March 1 to March 17, 2020, showed that on a daily
average, it received about 10.5 calls involving the issue of violence. This is clearly
worrying because, at that time, the PKP made it more difficult for the victims to get help
because they were not allowed to go out.
RESEARCH METHOD
This study used a library research method that aimed to examine the factors faced by
women during the period when the Movement Control Order was implemented. This
method is an effort made by the researcher to gather all the information that is appropriate
and relevant to the problem or topic studied. Researchers made a search strategy to obtain
literature review sources such as journals, articles, reports from newspapers, and electronic
sources related to the purpose of identifying the causes and effects of domestic violence
that occurred during the PKP period. Search and data collection for reference study
information are published from the beginning of the first PKP in March 2020 to PKP 3.0
in 2021. The list of references related to the study was selected and reviewed to suit the
study. Previous years' information on forms of violence, factors, and effects of violence is
also explained. Several terms, including "domestic violence," "violence factor," "impact of
violence," and "PKP," were used in the database search.
Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 1 Number 11, November 2021
1255 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The increase in cases of domestic violence during the Movement Control Order
(PKP) is becoming increasingly alarming. There are several factors that cause the
occurrence of violence during PKP that have been identified as stress factors (Badar, 2011).
According to the literature, stress is one of the factors that cause women to be abused by
their partners during the period when the Movement Control Order was in effect (Sapkota,
Bhattarai, Baral, & Pokharel, 2016). The increase in cases of violence during PKP is due
to the abuser always being with the victim and spending a lot of time together, which
increases the chances of conflict occurring. When there is a conflict to the point of violence
during the PKP, the victim will be with the partner who committed the violence for a long
time because it is difficult to get help due to movement restrictions.
Meanwhile, according to the Chairman of the Johor Women, Family, and
Community Development Committee, Zaiton Ismail, a total of 12 cases of domestic
violence have been reported in the state since the beginning of last year involving couples
aged 25 and above (Thas & Sulathireh, 2010). Most of the cases were, however, withdrawn
by the victims out of pity for the couple who would be subject to legal action. According
to Jamil Osman (2013), among the factors in the case were the spread of the COVID-19
pandemic and the implementation of the Movement Control Order (PKP), which pushed
many people to experience stress.
In addition, the husband's hot temper is also a factor in the occurrence of domestic
violence (Eriksen & Jensen, 2006) (Dissel & Ngubeni, 2003). This is because, based on the
findings, the husband's hot-tempered attitude cannot be controlled, even if he spends a long
period of time with his spouse during the period of Movement Control Order (PKP). The
Sinar Harian review on June 15, 2021, also showed that a 27-year-old woman had been
scolded, beaten, and locked up by her hot-tempered husband for not preparing breakfast. A
husband's hot temper will be easier to develop if the victim provokes the partner.
Meanwhile, according to JKM 2017 statistics, financial problems are the third most
commonly reported factor, accounting for 84 cases. This is stated in a study conducted by
Khan et al (2012) who found that financial problems in the family are also one of the factors
contributing to the occurrence of violence. It is also related to the factor of job loss in the
epidemic season because the COVID-19 epidemic has crippled the economic income of
the people, especially for those who are self-employed and whose income depends on daily
wages (Shukor, Hashim, & Khan, 2012). Such things worry those who depend on work to
support themselves and their families..
In addition, drug addiction was also identified as one of the major contributing
factors to domestic violence (Mohsin et al., 2016; Basarudin, 2016). This is because during
the PKP, they may face difficulties obtaining supplies of drugs, which leads to symptoms
of addiction as a result of not getting supplies, such as becoming irritable and prone to
committing violence. A husband was sentenced to nine months in jail by the Bahau
Magistrate's Court after injuring his wife on May 1 because he is said to be angry when his
wife does not give him money to buy drugs.
Azura Binti Md Zahari, PM Dr Faizah Binti Abdul Ghani
Factors of Domestic Violence When Movement Control Orders 1256
CONCLUSION
The COVID-19 pandemic that started to hit the world, including its spread in Malaysia
from the end of December 2019 until now, will continue to be remembered. COVID-19 not
only exposes us to new norms such as social incarceration, segregation, quarantine, and
compliance with various operating standards (SOPs), but unknowingly it also manages to
create internal stress that triggers domestic violence. Violence against women needs to be
given serious attention because women are an important asset to the state. Violence against
women also needs to be addressed by identifying the causes of violence to prevent women
from continuing to be victims of violence. Violence against women can cause physical
injuries and health problems, as well as mental and emotional trauma that can lead to mental
and emotional disorders.
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